Tibetan Monks To Create Sacred Sand Painting At Florida CraftArt

ST. PETERSBURG, FL — Eight Tibetan Monks will spend five days creating an intricate sand painting only to sweep it all away once it's completed.

It's part of an ancient Tibetan Buddhist art form called a Sand Mandala, representing the universal lessons of peace and impermanence. Mandalas are drawings in sand of the world in its divine form and represent a map by which the ordinary human mind is transformed into the enlightened mind.

The public is invited to witness the step-by-step creation of the sand painting in Florida CraftArt's Exhibition Gallery, 501 Central Ave., St. Petersburg, starting Jan. 7 and watch as the monks chant, perform music and dances and share their Tibetan culture and traditions.

The monks’ mission is to share the message of compassion, create peaceful communities that work toward world peace; provide a window into the ancient and precious Tibetan culture and raise funds to educate, feed, house and provide health care for the 2,000 Tibetan Buddhist monks living in exile at Drepung Gomang Monastery in India.

Schedule:

Tuesday, Jan. 7
10:15 a.m. Opening Ceremony
10:45 a.m. to 4 p.m. Creation of Sacred Sand Mandala

Wednesday, Jan. 8
10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Creation of Sacred Sand Mandala

5:30-7 p.m. Reception featuring Tibetan culture, including the Lucky Dance and
the Snow Lion Dance. Tickets are $20 for members, $30 for nonmembers.

Thursday, Jan. 9
10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Creation of Sacred Sand Mandala

Friday, Jan. 10
9 a.m. AARP members-only breakfast with the monks
10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Creation of Sacred Sand Mandala
5:30 to 7:30 p.m. ArtLofts opening in exhibition gallery.

Saturday, Jan. 11
10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Creation of Sacred Sand Mandala
10:30 a.m. to noon and 2 to 4 p.m. Rock Painting Workshop: The monks will
show participants how to paint Tibetan symbols on rocks. Each participant can paint their
own rock as a keepsake. Tickets are $15 for members, $25 for nonmembers.
5 p.m. Meet the monks at the Second Saturday ArtWalk
6 p.m. Healing minute of meditation around the world broadcast live.

Sunday, Jan. 12
Noon: Finalization of Mandala
1 p.m. Dissolution Ceremony: The mandala is swept up in a ceremony of gratitude and blessings. The community is invited to join the monks in a procession to the bay where they will pour sand from the mandala with a Buddhist blessing. After the ceremony, the mandala sand will be given out at Florida CraftArt. The event is free but reserved seated is available for $20 for members, $30 for nonmembers.